I know that by placing the word "feminist" in the title of this article, there were numerous reactions by those who chose to venture near my words, especially opponents of the movement. To name a few, some probably rolled their eyes, took a breath and decided to read about the views of another "crazy" woman. Well, you're in luck.

To begin, I want to make something clear: I am a feminist. Yes, I know, the utter shock everyone must be feeling. Do you now believe me to be a hater of men? A radical promoter of women? A sex-crazed hater of monogamy? I can feel the stereotypes coalescing together to form a cohesive picture of what many consider to be a feminist: basically, anything besides what the most of us actually are.

Now, I cannot speak for all of us. I am not going to make blatant generalizations. But, if I know something is true, it is that not all of us are radical, "crazed" versions of people that we are made out to be. Not everything you read late at night from the deep ends of Twitter is the truth. Choose to listen and understand before making assumptions.

According to Google, the definition of feminism is "the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes." I have bolded the word equality to enunciate the often forgotten part of feminism, the one nobody seems to mention when preaching against this movement. Feminism is not women fighting against men. It is not women hating men. For some reason, a movement fighting for equality has somehow been yet again made out to be something about men. Well, spoiler alert: it isn't.

Women fighting for and supporting equal rights should not be a dirty and disgusting association. Saying that I support equal rights should not be frowned down upon. Saying that I want women to succeed should not be a controversial subject. Why is it that the fight for equality always seems to make those who have privilege feel as though they are the ones targeted?

I am not a hater of men. Me being a feminist is me trying to support other women, not me being against men. Pro-women doesn't, and shouldn't ever, instantly equate to being anti-men. I cannot stress this enough.

Just know something: feminists are not crazy. It's funny, isn't it, how a seemingly obvious statement can trigger such a vehement distaste? Some of us might be, but stop making it seem as though the extremes of a population instantaneously represent the vast majority. (This can apply to so many other situations, can't it?)

Support women. Support women of color. Support disenfranchised women. Support poor women. Support women standing up for the progression of human rights and equal rights. Support women, and never for a second believe that your support means a lack of support for another group. Support, stay together, and fight for the things that matter.

And most of all, always, always remember: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu